The Tigers' Miguel Cabrera was sensational at the plate in his Triple Crown season, but he also was solid in his move back to third base. MATT SLOCUM, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

This is not an argument about two different visions for the future of our country.

This is not the Big Bang vs. intelligent design vs. evolution.

This is a case of two very different, very extraordinary American League players having two very different, very extraordinary seasons, with one very nebulous and subjective award within each player's grasp Thursday.

There are no wrong answers, or losers, here.

But there is a distinct choice.

Detroit's Cabrera led the AL in home runs, RBI and batting average and thus became the first Triple Crown winner since 1967.

The Angels' Trout led the AL in runs and steals and captivated the sport with his casual, physical dominance.

The MVP is the Big Dog of individual awards in sports. It often serves as a Hall of Fame deal-breaker.

Yet the word "valuable" restricts it to those whose brilliance made a difference, even though the electors are specifically told that it really isn't tied to team performance.

They decide their own criteria. Yet, in 23 of the past 28 selections, their MVP choice has come from a playoff team.

What else can "valuable" mean? Did Edwin Encarnacion's 42 home runs and 110 RBI change the fate of the 73-89 Toronto Blue Jays?

Isn't it true that the Angels were the sixth seed in the 14-team AL matrix, with their least satisfying season in history when measured against investment and assumption?

Yes, and all of Trout's wonderful work did nothing to change that. They could have laid the same egg without him.

Precedent can be found in 2011.

Matt Kemp led the NL in home runs, RBI and runs and finished third in batting average. But the Dodgers did not make the show and the Brewers did. Therefore Ryan Braun won the trophy.

Not that Trout's indignant defenders lack a case.

The Angels were 80-58 when Trout started. Such a trajectory indicates the Angels might have won everything, had Trout been an Angel on Opening Day.

But Oakland was 82-48 when Yoenis Cespedes started. And Oakland did win the AL West.

It is also correct that the Angels won one more game than Detroit did (89 to 88) and that Trout had to face the second, third and seventh ranked pitching staffs in the AL (based on ERA) when he played intradivisional games.

Cabrera could feast on the ninth, 10th, 13th and 14th ranked staffs in AL Central play.

Yet Cabrera had 14 hits and 14 RBI in seven games against the A's, hitting .462, and hit .368 against Texas, and actually homered only once in 74 plate appearances against Kansas City.

Trout's superior defense will also be cited, as it should. But the Tigers' fortunes depended largely on Cabrera's ability, and willingness, to play third base, his original position nine years and 50 pounds ago.

Manager Jim Leyland was quizzed constantly on that risk in the spring. Then the season began and the issue disappeared, as Cabrera played solidly enough; not Brooks Robinson, but not Mark Trumbo either.

By moving to third and risking embarrassment, Cabrera opened a spot for Prince Fielder.

And, of the nine men who have won Triple Crowns since 1925, Cabrera is the only left-side infielder.

Visit any post-game clubhouse and you will hear how opportunity was either cashed by the winners or wasted by the others. That is why it is important that Cabrera had 50 plate appearances with two out and men in scoring position, and drove in 29 runs and hit .420.

Trout had 62 of those chances and hit .286, driving in 16.

And, after Aug. 31, Trout hit a commendable .289 for the desperate Angels with a .900 OPS.

But Cabrera hit .333 with a 1.071 OPS for the just-as-desperate Tigers, who were three games behind Chicago on Sept. 11. On Sept. 30, they were three games ahead, and Cabrera gave them eight homers and 20 RBI during that surge.

Although it seems ludicrous when you compare the numbers, Ted Williams won Triple Crowns in 1942 and 1947 and lost MVP awards to Joe Gordon and Joe DiMaggio. Those Yankee players were pennant-winners, and Williams wasn't.

The past three Triple Crown winners (Mickey Mantle, Frank Robinson, Carl Yastrzemski) played on AL title teams and won the MVP award, as did rookie Fred Lynn in 1975. Robinson was a unanimous pick, and Yaz got 19 of 20 first-place votes.

If Trout wins this MVP award it will boost baseball, by anointing the next great player. It also will honor one of the best-ever seasons by a 20-year-old (he turned 21 on Aug. 7).

If Cabrera wins the MVP it will repudiate nothing Trout did. It will simply be a case of Affirmed over Alydar, and a reaffirmation of value.

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